Page 109 of You Owe Me

“To a court, maybe. But to the university’s academic integrity board?” I shrug. “They’re remarkably flexible about how information comes to their attention. Especially when it involves the dean’s son running an organized cheating ring.”

“You have no idea what you’re playing with.” His threat lacks his usual conviction.

“Actually, I think I do. See, here’s what I think happened.” I pick up one of the emails, pretending to study it. “You’ve been cheating your way through college for years while Daddy covers up your failures. But you got greedy. Started looking at Maverick’s operation and thinking you could do it better. The only problem? Maverick actually earned his reputation. You just inherited yours.”

“My father?—”

“Your father’s been cleaning up your messes for three years,” I interrupt. “But what happens when these emails find their way to the board of trustees? When they start asking questions about whether the dean has been compromising academic integrity to protect his own son?”

Carter goes very still. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” I lean forward, letting some of Maverick’s cold authority bleed into my voice. “You threatened my boyfriend’s family with federal investigators. I’m threatening you with the truth.”

“The IRS investigation is already in motion.” His voice has lost its earlier confidence. “You can’t stop that.”

“Maybe not. But I can certainly give investigators some very interesting information about who initiated those anonymous tips. Amazing how digital footprints work, isn’t it?” I pull out my phone and show him a screenshot of network logs that Jinprovided. “Your laptop, Carter. Your IP address. Your incredibly stupid decision to submit federal tips from university Wi-Fi.”

The blood drains from his face. “That’s… that’s fabricated.”

“Is it? Because the FBI takes filing false reports very seriously. Especially when those reports are designed to harass innocent families.” I set the phone down and fix him with my best impression of Maverick’s intimidating stare. “How do you think that’s going to play when you’re already facing academic fraud charges?”

Carter’s composure is cracking now, the polished façade giving way to something uglier underneath. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Walking in here with your little folder of evidence, playing at being dangerous.”

“I don’t think I’m dangerous,” I reply calmly. “I know I am. I learned from the best.”

“Your boyfriend isn’t here to protect you,” Carter snarls, abandoning the pretense of civility entirely. “And when this all comes out—when the university starts digging into his operation—you’ll go down with him.”

“Maybe. But you’ll go down first.” I start gathering the papers, stacking them neatly. “Here’s my offer, Carter. You call the IRS today. You tell them your concerns were unfounded and you’re withdrawing your complaints. You disappear from Maverick’s life and mine. And in return, I don’t hand these documents over to the academic integrity board.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then by Monday morning, every member of the board of trustees will have copies of these emails. The student newspaper will have a very interesting story about academic nepotism. And federal investigators will have some fascinating information about who’s been filing false reports.” I stand up, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “Your choice, Carter. But choose quickly.”

Carter stares at me for a long moment, and I can see him weighing his options. The calculation in his eyes, trying to figure out if I’m bluffing, if he can call my hand and still come out ahead.

“You have until tomorrow morning,” I continue, heading for the door. “After that, all bets are off.”

I’m almost to the door when he speaks again, voice low and dangerous.

“You have no idea what you’ve just done.”

I turn back to face him, hand on the doorknob. “I’ve leveled the playing field. Welcome to the game, Carter.”

I’m pulling the door open when my phone rings. Unknown number. Probably spam, but something makes me answer anyway.

“Hello?”

“Is this Ainsley James?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“This is Havemeyer Medical Center. We have you listed as the emergency contact for Maverick Lexington?”

The world tilts sideways. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Mr. Lexington underwent a cardiac procedure this morning, and there have been some complications. We need you to come in immediately.”

I’m already running for the elevator, leaving Carter and his threats and my carefully planned revenge behind. Because none of that matters now. Nothing matters except the fact that Maverick is in a hospital somewhere, having surgery I didn’t know about, facing complications I can’t understand.

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